Michigan State University is fortunate to have passionate educators who are committed to enhancing the experience of their students and who help to provide the best education possible.
The Graduate School is featuring some of these educators – graduate and postdoc educators – every month to share their unique stories and perspectives on what it means to be a dedicated educator, how they’ve overcome educational challenges, and the ways they have grown through their experiences.
For June 2025, we are featuring Shikha Bhutani, a doctoral student in Mathematics. In her writeup, Shikha shares how she navigated cultural adjustments as an international teaching assistant while learning to understand her students’ backgrounds, experiences, and learning needs.
What does it mean to be an educator at a university?
To be an educator at the university level is a source of immense pride. Being called an MSU-trained educator is a privilege – it means working with a spectacular team, the MSU community, and holding the significant responsibility of shaping the next generation of thinkers, professionals, and citizens.
So, as educators, it becomes essential that we listen to the needs and struggles of our students, encourage them to ask questions and think critically, and create an environment where knowledge is expressed, shared, and deepened. To be a university educator is to be both a teacher and a learner. It requires adaptability and openness to new ideas and teaching methods.
I discovered my passion for teaching in high school. I was naturally good at math, while many of my friends found it challenging. Before exams, they would often ask me to explain difficult concepts. Initially, I just wanted to help my friends, but over time, I found real joy in making complex math problems seem simple.
The more I engaged with teaching math, the more I realized it was something I wanted to pursue seriously.
Being an educator at the university level is vastly different from teaching friends or working as a tutor. You’re in front of a large group of curious minds with strong prior knowledge, all gathered to hear what you have to say. They come with questions, stories, and connections to make. There is so much energy and excitement in one room – and so much potential to achieve.
I strive to produce a space where they can ask questions, learn from their mentors and peers, and contribute their own valuable ideas while expanding the boundaries of collective knowledge.
Throughout my journey, I have faced many challenges, but I’ve also had access to incredible support systems. Programs like Lunch and Learn sessions, and guidance from course supervisors in the Math department – especially Andy and Tsveta – have been instrumental in helping me grow as an educator.
In every class I teach, I am reminded that education is not just about knowledge – it's about transformation. And to be a part of that transformation is one of the greatest honors of my life.
Challenges you have experienced and how have you grown from these?
One of the first and most significant challenges I faced was the cultural shift. As an international student stepping into the role of an educator for a diverse group of students, I had to adapt quickly and learn a great deal in a short period of time. In the process of adjusting to a new environment, it's easy to lose touch with one’s own cultural identity. This often happens gradually, without realization – until one day you look back at old memories and feel a sense of guilt for having forgotten something that shaped who you are today.
However, this realization brought me to the second stage of learning: understanding that it’s possible to adapt to a new environment while still honoring and practicing your own traditions. Respecting the cultural setup of your surroundings while staying rooted in your values is essential. This balance helped me become more self-aware, empathetic, and resilient.
Throughout my teaching journey, I have also encountered numerous classroom challenges. There have been instances when students stopped attending class, and their performance began to decline. I’ve learned that even a small gesture – reaching out with empathy, recognizing their efforts, or simply letting them know they’re seen – can have a tremendous impact.
Sometimes the reason why students would not attend the class is because they have faced personal losses or serious life situations that impacted their academic performance while some, under pressure, have attempted unethical methods during exams.
In such moments, it becomes crucial to choose the right words, offer compassion, and provide appropriate support. It’s not just about enforcing rules but about understanding the individual behind each student.
Another ongoing challenge I continue to face is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As an international teaching assistant, I wear multiple hats – I am an educator, a researcher, a daughter, a sister, a student, a fitness enthusiast, a reader, an individual who wants to follow her traditions and so much more.
It’s easy to overextend yourself when you are passionate about your work, but doing so can leave little room for other responsibilities or self-care. This is where community becomes essential. Having mentors and peers with whom I can share struggles and find clarity has helped me avoid burnout and stay grounded.
What value do you see in teaching professional development?
Teaching professional development holds immense value, not only for enhancing one’s instructional skills but also for deepening the connection between educators and learners. In my experience, it is through professional development that teaching becomes a dynamic, evolving practice rather than a fixed set of methods or rules.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as an educator is that effective teaching does not happen in isolation. Professional development programs – such as pedagogy workshops, seminars, and reflective teaching groups – provide a platform to exchange ideas, share challenges, and learn new strategies from peers and experts.
Programs like the ACES training and the various pedagogy workshops I attended at Michigan State University were turning points in my teaching journey. They helped me understand the cultural nuances of the American classroom, rethink my communication style, and make my instruction more student-centered. These trainings didn't just improve my teaching; they gave me confidence and clarity in my role as an educator in a diverse academic setting.
Moreover, professional development serves as a reminder that teaching is a lifelong learning process. With every new session I attend, I come away feeling better equipped not just to teach, but to connect, support, and inspire.
What is one piece of advice you would give other graduate educators?
I can share what I’ve learned and what has become my personal mantra for staying balanced and happy. I believe that if your mind is at peace, you're better able to contribute meaningfully to your students, your institution, and society at large.
1. Invest your time across different areas – don’t overdo or underdo anything. As graduate educators, we juggle teaching, research, coursework, and personal responsibilities. It’s easy to get consumed by one area, especially when you're passionate about it. But overcommitting can lead to burnout, and under committing can lead to regret. Striking the right balance is difficult, but it starts with being aware of where your time and energy are going.
2. Don’t take everything too seriously – especially in moments of stress. When you're caught up in a difficult situation, it can feel overwhelming – like being in the middle of a lake and seeing no way out. But if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, like, say, in a plane, watching the same lake, you see it is not that large. Over a period of time, everything is just going to be a phase of your life. Overall, life is beautiful, and it goes through ups and downs. The ups and downs don't define you!
What do you enjoy in your free time?
I enjoy a lot of things in my free time – cooking, dancing by myself, singing at events, reading books, listening to great music, and meditating. Dancing helps me release stress, while singing allows me to express myself when there’s no one around to listen. Reading elevates my mental energy and brings clarity, and cooking is my way of taking care of myself.
What non-academic book are you currently reading/ or is a favorite?
I read a lot of books, they are all my favorites. These days, I am reading “Chanakya Neeti.” The book describes Chanakya's deep studies. Chanakya was an Indian philosopher, teacher, and a royal advisor to the Mauryan kings. His vices suggest what one should avoid to lead a happy and fulfilled life.